LovelyGirl,
This has happened to me so many times I kind of expected it again. If you reread my post, I said that I graduated from Southern "last year" meaning 1999. I have been out of college for a whole year now. A number of factors played a roll in my decision not to pursue membership at the undergraduate level, the main one being that I knew that I needed a certain GPA to get into the graduate school of my choice. Being a microbiology major with a minor in chemistry, this was no easy task. However, I was always active in my community not only at school, but in my hometown as well. I was cautious about the people to whom I expressed my interest in Alpha Kappa Alpha. This was easy because I have never been one to talk a whole lot about my business. Anyway, I loved doing things for my community like clothes drives, tutoring for kids, walk-a-thons, fundraisers....you name it, I was there. I was raised to be passionate about people and their well being, so community service was never a task for me but rather an enjoyment. Well, one day (this was after graduation), a Soror who has known me since I was a little girl and knew of my interest in Alpha Kappa Alpha, approached me about membership. You can only imagine my surprise. I was caught totally off guard. Anyway, in January of this year, I was extended an invitation to membership which I gladly accepted. No, I am not a member of Beta Psi (Southern's chapter), but I did become a proud member of Omicron Iota Omega Chapter in West Monroe. I made sure that my sponsor knew of my immediate plans to go to graduate school, but obviously they believed in my ability to also serve this organization. My line sisters and I stay in touch and the entire chapter is very supportive of my educational goals. My situation amazes a lot of people because it is rare that a young lady is extended an invitation to graduate membership so soon after leaving college. Like I said, it was a surprise to me, more like a blessing that had been in the making. Forgive me for not mentioning my chapter name in the first post. Maybe this would have helped to curve the notion that I was trying to "perp." I will be happy to answer any other questions you or anyone else may have. You can post them here or feel free to send me an email
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